A memorable finals day for the England all-rounder started with an allegation, contained in an extract from his autobiography published in Britain’s The Times newspaper, that he was called “Osama” by an Australia player during the 2015 Ashes series.

England all-rounder Moeen Ali has made the bold claim he was called ‘Osama’ by an Australian player during the 2015 Ashes series.Source:AFP

On the field, the Worcestershire captain scored 41 and took 2-16 with his off-spinners, including the wicket of England teammate Jos Buttler, as his side beat Lancashire by 20 runs in the opening semi-final.

Moeen Ali has taken Worcestershire to the English T20 Blast title.Source:AP

He then took 3-30 as Worcestershire held Sussex to a total of 6-157 in the final at Edgbaston — a target the Midlands side chased down with wicketkeeper Ben Cox making an unbeaten 46 and Moeen contributing 41 as they won by five wickets.

“I just knew we were going to win today,” said Moeen, whose side owed their place in the final to an impressive semi-final return of four for 21 from 20-year-old seamer Pat Brown.

Moeen, a 31-year-old practising Muslim, said he was on the receiving end of the slur, a reference to Osama bin Laden, from an unnamed opponent during his Ashes debut against Australia in Cardiff three years ago — a match where he scored 77 runs in the first innings and took five wickets.

“Never been so angry. It was a great first Ashes Test in terms of my personal performance, however there was one incident which had distracted me,” wrote Moeen.

“An Australian player turned to me on the field and said, ‘Take that, Osama’. I could not believe what I had heard.

“I remember going really red. I have never been so angry on a cricket field.”

A Cricket Australia spokesperson, quoted on the governing body’s website, said in response: “Remarks of this nature are unacceptable and have no place in our sport, or in society.

“We take this matter very seriously, and are following up with the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) as a matter of urgency to seek further clarification around the alleged incident.”

The ECB said it would not comment on the incident at this stage.

Moeen said the Australia player in question had denied making the comments to him at the time.

“I told a couple of the guys what the player had said to me and I think (England coach) Trevor Bayliss (who is himself Australian) must have raised it with Darren Lehmann, the Australians’ coach,” he said.

Australia are reviewing their team culture after former captain Steve Smith, his deputy David Warner and batsman Cameron Bancroft were given lengthy bans by CA for their roles in a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in March.

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